122,058 research outputs found
Basi biologiche e genetiche dell'attività psichica
No full textBasi Biologiche e Genetiche dell’Attività Psichic
Relevance, benefits, and problems of software modelling and model driven techniques—A survey in the Italian industry
No full textContext Claimed benefits of software modelling and model driven techniques are improvements in productivity, portability, maintainability and interoperability. However, little effort has been devoted at collecting evidence to evaluate their actual relevance, benefits and usage complications. Goal The main goals of this paper are: (1) assess the diffusion and relevance of software modelling and MD techniques in the Italian industry, (2) understand the expected and achieved benefits, and (3) identify which problems limit/prevent their diffusion. Method We conducted an exploratory personal opinion survey with a sample of 155 Italian software professionals by means of a Web-based questionnaire on-line from February to April 2011. Results Software modelling and MD techniques are very relevant in the Italian industry. The adoption of simple modelling brings common benefits (better design support, documentation improvement, better maintenance, and higher software quality), while MD techniques make it easier to achieve: improved standardization, higher productivity, and platform independence. We identified problems, some hindering adoption (too much effort required and limited usefulness) others preventing it (lack of competencies and supporting tools). Conclusions The relevance represents an important objective motivation for researchers in this area. The relationship between techniques and attainable benefits represents an instrument for practitioners planning the adoption of such techniques. In addition the findings may provide hints for companies and universitie
Advantages and Challenges of Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Studies in Zebrafish Research
No full textSince its introduction, the zebrafish has provided an important reference system to model and study cardiovascular development as well as lymphangiogenesis in vertebrates. A scientific workshop, held at the 2018 European Zebrafish Principal Investigators Meeting in Trento (Italy) and chaired by Massimo Santoro, focused on the most recent methods and studies on cardiac, vascular and lymphatic development. Daniela Panakova and Natascia Tiso described new molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in cardiac differentiation and disease. Arndt Siekmann and Wiebke Herzog discussed novel roles for Wnt and VEGF signaling in brain angiogenesis. In addition, Brant Weinstein's lab presented data concerning the discovery of endothelium-derived macrophage-like perivascular cells in the zebrafish brain, while Monica Beltrame's studies refined the role of Sox transcription factors in vascular and lymphatic development. In this article, we will summarize the details of these recent discoveries in support of the overall value of the zebrafish model system not only to study normal development, but also associated disease states
Monitoring Wnt signaling in zebrafish using fluorescent biosensors
No full textIn this chapter, we are presenting methods to monitor and quantify in vivo canonical Wnt signaling activities at single-cell resolution in zebrafish. Our technology is based on artificial enhancers, obtained by polymerization of TCF binding elements, cloned upstream to ubiquitous or tissue-specific promoters. The different promoter/enhancer combinations are used to drive fl uorescent protein reporter constructs integrated in the zebrafish germline by microinjection of fertilized zebrafish eggs. Fish with a single integration site are selected by Mendelian analysis of fl uorescent carriers, and heterozygous offspring are used to monitor and quantify canonical Wnt activities. Open source public domain software such as ImageJ/Fiji is used to calculate the integrated densities in the region of interest and compare the effect of experimental conditions on control and treated animals
Chiral phase transfer catalysts enable the synthesis of diverse chiral N-heterocycles through a combination of asymmetric cascade reactions
No full textThe effectiveness of a series of chiral phase transfer catalysts in cascade reactions of active methylene
compounds with 2-cyanobenzaldehyde leading to chiral 3-substituted isoindolinones and fused
benzoindolizidinones has been investigated. High yields and moderate enantiomeric excesses (e.e.s) were
achieved employing a chiral phase-transfer catalyst derived from bifunctional urea–quinine. Moreover, an
efficient process of heterochiral crystallization, performed on moderately enantioenriched compounds,
led to an impressive increase of the enantiopurity up to 93% e.e.s
A novel functional role of iduronate-2-sulfatase in zebrafish early development.
No full textSulfated glycosaminoglycan chains of extracellular matrix and cell membrane-tethered proteoglycans exert specific cellular functions by interacting with a broad spectrum of morphogens and growth factors. In humans, a congenital impaired catabolism of sulfated glycosaminoglycans is associated with severe metabolic disorders. Here, we report on the identification and characterization of a zebrafish iduronate sulfatase orthologue. By knocking down its function with antisense morpholino oligos, we demonstrate that iduronate sulfatase plays a critical role during early vertebrate development and its downregulation may be responsible for severe developmental defects, including a misshapen trunk and abnormal craniofacial cartilages. We show that the altered cartilage patterning is mediated by depauperation of sox10-expressing neural crest cell precursors. Through the application of a transactivation reporter assay, we also provide a molecular proof that increased TGF beta (Transforming Growth Factor) signalling is tightly associated with downregulation of iduronate sulfatase function. Our results provide an insight into the early biological impairments underlying the Hunter syndrome and suggest the use of zebralish as a novel tool to better understand lysosomal storage disorder pathogenesis
An adaptive registration algorithm for zebrafish larval brain images
No full textBackground and Objective: Zebrafish (Danio rerio) in their larval stages have grown increasingly popular as excellent vertebrate models for neurobiological research. Researchers can apply various tools in order to decode the neural structure patterns which can aid the understanding of vertebrate brain development. In order to do so, it is essential to map the gene expression patterns to an anatomical reference precisely. However, high accuracy in sample registration is sometimes difficult to achieve due to laboratory- or protocol-dependent variabilities. Methods: In this paper, we propose an accurate adaptive registration algorithm for volumetric zebrafish larval image datasets using a synergistic combination of attractive Free-Form-Deformation (FFD) and diffusive Demons algorithms. A coarse registration is achieved first for 3D volumetric data using a 3D affine transformation. A localized registration algorithm in form of a B-splines based FFD is applied next on the coarsely registered volume. Finally, the Demons algorithm is applied on this FFD registered volume for achieving fine registration by making the solution noise resilient. Results: Results Experimental procedures are carried out on a number of 72 hpf (hours post fertilization) 3D confocal zebrafish larval datasets. Comparisons with state-of-the-art methods including some ablation studies clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Conclusions: Our adaptive registration algorithm significantly aids Zebrafish imaging analysis over current methods for gene expression anatomical mapping, such as Vibe-Z. We believe the proposed solution would be able to overcome the requirement of high quality images which currently limits the applicability of Zebrafish in neuroimaging research
Maturity of Software Modelling and Model Driven Engineering: a Survey in the Italian Industry
No full textBackground: The main claimed advantage of Model-driven engineering is improvement in productivity. However, few information is available about its actual adoption during software development and maintenance in the industry. Objective: The main aim of this work is investigating the level of maturity in the adoption of software models and of Model-driven engineering in the Italian industry. The perspective is that of software engineering researchers. Method: First, we conducted an exploratory personal opinion survey with 155 Italian software professionals. The data were collected with the help of a web-based on-line questionnaire. Then, we conducted focused interviews with three software professionals to interpret doubtful results. Results: Software modelling is a very relevant phenomenon in the Italian industry. Model-Driven techniques are used in the industry, even if (i) only for a limited extent, (ii) despite a quite generalized dissatisfaction about available tools and (iii) despite a generally low experience of the IT personnel in such techniques. Limitations: Generalization of results is limited due to the sample size. Moreover, possible self-exclusion from participants not interested in modelling could have biased the results. Conclusion: Results reinforce existing evidence regarding the usage of software modelling and (partially of) Model-driven engineering in the industry but highlight several aspects of immaturity of the Italian industr
Tiso incisus V. & Tanasevitch 2011, sp. n.
No full textTiso incisus sp. n. Figs 89-96 HOLOTYPE: Ƌ, INDIA, Himachal Pradesh, Jutogh, 10 km W of Shimla, 2000 m a.s.l., leaf litter near foot of rock; 29.X.1988; leg. S. Vit [37]. PARATYPES: 13 Ƌ, 19 ♀; 5 Ƌ, 3 ♀ (ZMMU), from same locality, collected together with the holotype. – 1 ♀, Himachal Pradesh, Kulu Valley, S of Manali, Chijoga, 1900 m a.s.l., hollow in Quercus; 14.X.1988; leg. S. Vit [21]. – 1 Ƌ, 2 ♀, Uttar Pradesh, Garhwal, 10 km E of Dhanolti, 2450 m a.s.l., northern slope, Quercus forest, sifting litter; 21.X.1979; leg. I. Löbl [21b]. – 1 ♀, PAKISTAN, Swat District, S of Saidu-Sharif, Marghuzar, 1300 m a.s.l., sifting leaf litter under Platanus; 8. V.1983; leg. C. Besuchet & I. Löbl [2b]. – 1 Ƌ, 3 ♀, Malam Jabba, 2300 m a.s.l., Pinus forest, sifting litter under Pinus and Corylus; 9. V.1983; leg. C. Besuchet & I. Löbl [4c]. – 1 Ƌ, same, 2500-2600 m a.s.l., under stones; 18. V.1983; leg. C. Besuchet & I. Löbl [17a]. – 1 Ƌ, 5 ♀, same, 2500-2600 m a.s.l., Abies forest, sifting litter and moss; 18. V.1983; leg. C. Besuchet & I. Löbl [17b]. – 1 Ƌ, 3 ♀, Kalam, 2100 m a.s.l., Quercus forest, sifting leaf litter; 12. V.1983; leg. C. Besuchet & I. Löbl [9b]. – 7 ♀, Ushu Valley, upper reaches of Kalam River, 2300 m a.s.l., Cedrus forest, sifting leaf litter under Corylus; 15. V.1983; leg. C. Besuchet & I. Löbl [13b]. – 1 Ƌ, 1 ♀, above Miandam, 2400-2500 m a.s.l., Abies forest, sifting litter and moss; 17. V.1983; leg. C. Besuchet & I. Löbl [15b]. – 1 Ƌ, 1 ♀, same, 2400-2500 m a.s.l., Abies forest, sifting litter and moss; 17. V.1983; leg. C. Besuchet & I. Löbl [15b]. ETYMOLOGY: The species name means “incised”, “notched”, referring to the shape of the embolus. DIAGNOSIS: The new species is characterized by the peculiar shape of the palpal tibia and the embolic division, as well as by the shape of the ventral plate of the epigyne. DESCRIPTION: Male. Total length 1.40. Carapace 0.75 long, 0.58 wide, pale brown, unmodified, sulci absent. Chelicerae 0.23 long, unmodified. Legs pale brown. Leg I 1.88 long (0.55+0.20+0.45+0.38+0.30), IV 2.06 long (0.60+0.20+0.55+0.43+ 0.28). Chaetotaxy 1.1.1.1, spines weak, their length about same as diameter of segment or a little longer. TmI 0.44. Metatarsus IV without trichobothrium. Palp (Figs 89-94): Patella as long as cymbium, with a row of uniform short spines dorsally. Tibia strongly modified: elongated, slightly sigmoid, with several outgrowths different in size and shape. Paracymbium small and narrow, L-shaped. Distal suprategular apophysis long and wide, flat, apically pointed and bent 90º. Radical part of embolic division relatively large and flat. Embolus long, curved, with a notch near it base. Abdomen 0.78 long, 0.50 wide, pale grey. Female. Total length 1.38. Carapace 0.68 long, 0.53 wide, unmodified. Chelicerae 0.23 long, unmodified. Leg I 1.64 long (0.48+0.20+0.38+0.30+0.28), IV 1.76 long (0.50+0.20+0.45+0.35+0.26). TmI 0.43. Abdomen 0.80 long, 0.55 wide. Epigyne and vulva (Figs 95-96): Ventral plate of epigyne long and narrow. Receptacles spherical, far apart from each other. Body and leg coloration, as well as chaetotaxy, as in male. TAXONOMIC REMARKS: The new species seems to be most similar to the Holarctic T. aestivus (L. Koch, 1872) and can be easily distinguished by the structure of the embolic division: in T. incisus sp. n. the loop of the embolus is almost orthogonal to the main axis of the palp, whereas in T. aestivus the loop lies almost in the same plane; there are also other small differences in the shape of the palpal tibia and the embolic division. The female differs by the shape of the ventral plate of the epigyne: in T. aestivus the ventral plate is triangular, in T. incisus sp. n. it is as a narrow transversal stripe. RANGE: Himalayan. FIGS 97-100 Tiso (?) indianus sp. n., Ƌ paratype. (97-98) Right palp, retrolateral and prolateral views, respectively. (99) Palpal tibia, dorsal view. (100) Palpal tibia and paracymbium, lateral view.Published as part of Tanasevitch, Andrei V., 2011, Linyphiid spiders (Araneae, Linyphiidae) from Pakistan and India, pp. 561-598 in Revue suisse de Zoologie 118 (3) on pages 590-591, DOI: 10.5962/bhl.part.117817, http://zenodo.org/record/631201
- …
